Method and apparatus for filling and
sealing holders for tokens, coins or
the like



Sept. 13, 1966 A. G. FULLBROOK 3,271,923

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND SEALING HOLDERS COINS OR THE LIKE FOR TOKENS,

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 16, 1963 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,271 923 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLENG AND SEALING HQLDERS FGR TOKENS, COINS 0R THE LIKE Allan G. Fullbrook, Rexdaie, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Dominion Paper Box Company Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Filed Sept. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 309,088 7 Claims. (Cl. 5333) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the art of filling and sealing holders for tokens, coins or the like.

For some time transit companies have employed both tickets and tokens, as is well known. Recently the use of tokens has become more widespread since tokens can be employed with turnstile type gates which eliminate the necessity of employing a person to collect fares.

However, transit tokens often are similar in size and shape to coins, and it is desirable, therefore, that they should be kept separate from loose change. To achieve this end, simple, inexpensive token holders have been employed.

It is desirable that a machine be provided for the placement of the tokens in the token holders and for subsequently securing together certain parts of the token holders to retain the tokens in the token holders. It further is desirable that such a machine be capable of performing the aforementioned functions automatically.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and useful method and apparatus, the latter which can be automatic in operation, for filling and sealing holders for tokens, coins or the like.

Briefly, apparatus embodying this invention comprises two members mounted one above the other in spaced apart relationship at a token holder filling station. These members define an opening therebet-ween. Means are provided for supporting the token holder at the token holder filling station in front of the members with the apertures in the token holder being positioned opposite to the openings between the members. Token advancing means are employed to advance a plurality of tokens, coins or the like to the token holder filling station on the side of the token holder remote from the members and in alignment with the apertures in the token holder. The tokens are larger than the apertures in the token holder. The token advancing means are movable to an extent sufiicient to insert the tokens into the apertures in the token holder and push the token holder and tokens through the opening between the members, as a result of which the token holder engages the members, and bends about an edge passing through the apertures in the token holder and folds over the tokens. Sealing means are provided for securing together the folded sides of the token holder.

This invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus embodying this invention,

FIG. 2 is a top elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3 and 3A are sections taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1 showing different stages in the operation of apparatus embodying this invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing in greater detail the heat sealing means employed to facilitate the sealing together of certain parts of token holders processed in apparatus embodying this invention.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of this invention, and particularly to FIG- URES 1, 2, 3 and 3A, there is shown an upper and a lower folding bar 10 and 11, respectively, positioned at a token holder filling station 12 in spaced-apart relationship with each other, bars 10 and 11 defining an elongated opening 13 therebetween.

A rectangular token holder 14 made of any suitable material such as cardboard and having a plurality of aligned apertures 15 therein, located midway between the two longer edges of the token holder, is supported at filling station 12, in front of bars 10 and 11 and with apertures 15 positioned opposite to opening 1 3, as best seen in FIGURE 1. Surface 16 of token holder 14 has a heat sensitive adhesive applied over the whole area thereof, and a crease line 17 passes through apertures 15, crease line 17 being parallel to and equidistant from the two longer edges of token holders 1'4.

Token holder 14 is supported at filling station 12 by upper and lower elongated guide bars 18 and 19, respectively, which carry stops 20 and 21 that are adjustable in position along the guide bars and that limit the movement of the token holder in one direction in guide bars 18 and 19. As best seen in FIGURE 3, guide bars 18 and 19 have channels 18a and 1% formed therein, these channels each having an upright side and an inclined side, so that token holder 14 rides in the deepest parts of the channels and is held between guide bars 18 and 19 without additional support.

A container 22 having a plurality of token holders 14 stacked therein is positioned to one side of filling station 12 and has an open end 23 from which token holders 14 may be dispensed. Container 22 is titlted upwardly to facilitate the dispensing of the token holders therefrom. Token holders 14 are retained in container 22 by flexible picks 24 which project over the first token holder in the stack from the top and side frames 25 of container 22 and at end 23 thereof.

As is shown in FIGURE 1, the shape of channels 18a and 19a in the parts of guide bars 18 and 19 opposite container 22 is different from the shape of channels 18a and 19a in the parts of guide bars 18 and 19 at token holder filling station 12. Specifically, the former channels are open at one side, so as to permit a token holder 14 from container 22 to move into upright position between guide bars 18 and 19 and in channels 18a and 19a without interference which would cause bending of the token holder. In order to retain the token holder in upright position opposite container 22- and between guide bars 18 and 19, two movable retaining gates 26 are provided. Gates 26 are laterally movable in slots 27 provided in brackets 28 fixed to guide bars 18 and 19, the means for shifting gates 26 towards and away from each other not being shown for the sake of simplicity. When gates 26 are in the position shown in FIGURE 2, they serve to retain a token holder 14 in upright position between guide bars 18 and 19, because, in this position of gates 26 they are spaced-apart a distance less than the length of a token holder overlapping the token holder. When a token holder 14 is being withdrawn from container 22 for placement between guide bars 18 and 19, gates 26 are moved from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the opposite ends of slots 27, where they are spaced-apart further than the length of a token holder and do not impede its placement between guide bars 18 and 19.

Means are provided .for individually transferring token holders 14 stacked in container 22 from the container to between guide bars 18 and 19. These means comprise a movable transfer device 29 comprising a hollow tube 30 terminating in cups 31. Suction is applied intermittently to tube 30 by any suitable means (not shown). Cups 31 communicate in fluid-flow relationship with the interior of tube 30, so that suction is created inside cups 31.

A pusher 32 is slidably mounted on folding bar 11 which extends from filling station 12 to beyond container 22. Pusher 32 is connected to a link 33 (shown in part in FIGURE 2) which is capable of moving pusher 32 along folding bar 19 to the left in FIGURE 2. The function served by pusher 32 is to engage a token holder 14 supponted between guide bars 18 and 19 in front of container 22, and move it in channels 18a and 19a to the position of token holder 14 shown in FIGURE 1, after which pusher 32 returns to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 2.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous other types of devices may be employed to sequentially place token holders 14 at filling station 12 without departing from this invention.

As best shown in FIGURE 1, a receptacle 34 having a plurality of chutes 35 therein is mounted in front of filling station 12. Each chute 35 contains a stack of tokens 36. Positioned beneath receptacle 34 and spaced therefrom by the depth of a token 36 is a plate 37 which extends almost into engagement with token holder 14 at filling station 12. Slidably mounted between receptacle 34 and plate 37 is a token pusher plate 38 which has a scalloped leading edge 39. The means for effecting back and forth sliding movement of token pusher plate 38 have not been shown for the sake of simplicity. The function of pusher plate 38 is to catch tokens 36 deposited from chutes 35 onto plate 37 and move them to filling station 12 and beyond folding bars and 11, as will become more apparent. It will be noted that tokens 36 are so oriented by scalloped edge 39 that they are in alignment with apertures 15.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other devices for automatically dispensing a row of tokens 36 and moving them to filling station 12 in alignment with apentures and beyond folding bars 10 and 11 may be employed without departing from this invention.

Positioned behind folding bars 19' and 1.1 are means 40, which are best shown in FIGURE 4, for scaling together certain parts of token holders 14.

Referring to FIGURE 4, there is shown a turret 41 which is rotatable and is rota-ted about an axis 42, and which has four arms 43 of equal length, although any desired number of arms could be used. Positioned at the end of each arm 43 is a set of jaws 44 and 45. Each jaw 45 is movable relative to the other jaw 44 of the set, jaws 45 being rpivoted on pivot pins 46. Each jaw 44 also may be adjustable with respect to its cooperating jaw 45 for setting purposes. Each jaw 45 is biased by a spring (not shown) in such a direction that each jaw 45 tends to open.

A cam 47 is provided and is fixed in position realtive to rotatable turret 41. Cam 47 has two steps 48 and 49. Each jaw 45 is secured to one of four cam followers 50 which ride on the cam surface 51 of cam 47. Cam surface 51 is low at 51a and high at 51b.

Sl'idably mounted for back and forth movement within each set of jaws is a plate 52 which has a scalloped forward edge 53 identical to edge 39 of token pusher plate 38. Overlying each scalloped edge 53 is a plate 54 which extends the length of plate 52.

Positioned in both jaws 44 and 45 of all sets of'jaws are electrical heating elements 55 which are preferably thermostatically controlled. Each jaw 45 has a sealing plate facing 56.

The sets of jaws carried by arms 43 are movable between various stations, namely a token holder receiving station 57, where the jaws are directly behind folding bars 10 and 11, and a token holder unloading station 58 which may be displaced 270' from station 57. Turret 41 is rotated about axis 42 in such a manner that any set of jaws moved to receiving station 57 stops at station 57 for a sufficient time to receive a filled token holder to be sealed, as will become more apparent hereinafter.

The means 40 previously disclosed in detail herein for sealing token holders 14 constitutes a preferred embodiment of this invention, since such means are simple and eflicient in operation. However, it will be appreciated that other means may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

In the operation of the apparatus which has previously been described in detail, transfer device 29 is pivoted until cups 31 contact the first token holder 14 in the stack of token holders within container 22. The suction created inside cups 31 by the application of a suitable suction producing device to hollow tube 30 holds this token holder against cups 31. Transfer device 29 then is pivoted to draw the token holder held to cups 31 past picks 24 to a position where the token holder stands upright between guide bars 18 and 19 and is positioned in channels 18a and 19a, respectively, therein. Prior to the transfer of this token holder from container 22 -to between guide bars 18 and 19, gates 26 are moved in slots 27 to a position where the gates are furthest apart, thereby permitting the token holder carried by cups 31 to move into position between guide bars 18 and 19 without impediment. Immediately after the token holder has been so positioned, gates 26 are moved to the position shown in FIGURE 2 where they serve to retain the token holder in upright position between guide bars 18 and 19, preventing the token holder from falling backwardly towards container 22. Subsequently, the suction applied to tube 30 is discontinued, and transfer device 23 is moved to the position shown in FIGURE 2.

Pusher 32 is moved to the left in FIGURE 2 by linkage 33 and slides on lower folding bar 11. Pusher 32 engages the token holder just positioned between guide bars 18 and 19 and slides it in channels 18a and 19a to token holder filling station 12 where the token holder is abutted against stops 20 and 21, thereby assuming the position of token holder 14 in FIGURE 1. Pusher 32 then is returned by link 33 to the position of the pusher shown in FIGURE 2.

Token pusher plate 38 is advanced towards token holder 14 at filling station 12 and catches tokens 36 which have been deposited on plate 37 from chutes 35 in receptacle 34. As mentioned previously, scalloped edge 39 of token pusher plate 38 is so shaped that tokens 36 are aligned with apertures 15 in token holder 14.

As best shown in FIGURE 3, token pusher plate 38 advances forwardly to insert tokens 36 into apertures 15. It will be noted, however, that since tokens 36 are of larger diameter than apertures 15, they only pass part way through apertures 15. Continued movement of token pusher plate 38 causes tokens 36 to bear against the side walls of apertures 15. Further movement of token pusher plate 38 forces tokens 36 and token holder 14 through opening 13 between folding bars 10 and 11 which engage token holder 14 and cause it to bend upon itself along fold line 17 and over tokens 36, as best shown in FIGURE 3.

While the foregoing operations are taking place, turret 41 has been rotating about its axis 42. Shortly before token holder 14 begins to bend upon itself, as shown in FIGURE 3, one of the sets of jaws is stopped at receiving station 57, as is shown in both FIGURES 3 and 3a. Jaws 44 and 45 at receiving station 57 are in an open position and accept the folded token holder, as best shown in FIG- URE 3a, the folded token holder being pushed between jaws 44 and 45 by continued forward movement of token pusher plate 38. After completion of this operation, token pusher plate 38 is returned to its original position.

When folded over token holder 14 carrying tokens 36 is positioned between jaws 44 and 45 by pusher plate 38, correct positioning of the token holder between the jaws is assured by plate 52, the scalloped edge 53 of which receives the tokens 36. Plate 52 is pushed backwardly into engagement with a stop (not shown) when the folded token holder is inserted between jaws 44 and 45. It also will be seen that tokens 36 pass under plate 54.

Jaws 44 and 45 are open at receiving station 57 since cam follower 50 secured to the jaw 45 at receiving station 57 rides on the low part 51a of the cam surface, thus permitting the spring (not shown) biasing this jaw 45 to bias the jaw to an open position. Immediately after the set of jaws at receiving station 57 has accepted a folded token holder, turret 41 again is rotated. This causes the cam follower 50 connected to open jaw 45 to ride up step 48 to the higher part 51b of cam surface 51 which results in jaws 44 and 45 closing. These jaws are maintained in a closed position during the whole travel from receiving station 57 to unloading station 58, where the jaws are again opened when the cam follower rides down stop 49 to the lower cam surface 51a. I aws 44 and 45 are heated continuously by electric heating elements 55. Accordingly, during movement of any set of jaws from the receiving to the unloading station, sealing of the parts of the token holder between the jaws is effected. At unloading station 58 the sealed token holder is released and drops into any suitable receptacle (not shown) for accommodating the same. Plate 54 is provided in the event that any token holder should stick to sealing plate facing 56. In the event that this should happen, plate 54 causes sealing plate facing 56 to release its hold on the token holder.

In practising a method embodying this invention for filling and sealing holders 14 with tokens 36, token holder 14 having a plurality of aligned apertures 15 therein, is supported at token holder filling station 12 in front of folding bars and 11 with apertures positioned opposite to opening 13 between folding bars 10 and 11. A plurality of tokens 36 each of larger size than apertures 15 in token holder 14 are advanced by token pusher plate 38 into and part way through apertures 15 in token holder 14, tokens 36 being advanced from the side of token holder 14 which is remote from folding bars 10 and 11. Subsequently, both token holder 14 and tokens 36 are advanced through opening 13 between folding bars 10 and 11 which fold token holder 14 therebetween. Following this step, the folded sides of token holder 14- are secured together, preferably by heat sealing apparatus.

In order for the apparatus hereinbefore described in detail to function automatically, a definite sequence of operations must be followed. Assuming the apparatus to be in the position shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, gates 26 must move before a token holder is brought by trans fer device 29 from container 22 to between guide bars 18 and 19. Before pusher 32 is activated, transfer device 29 must release the token holder carried thereby. After token holder 14 has been placed in the position shown in FIGURE 1 by pusher 32, token pusher plate 38 must be moved forwardly. Finally, the movement of turret 41 must be synchronized to the previous operations to ensure that a set of jaws always is at receiving station 57 to accept each folded token holder. It will be appreciated, however, that obtaining the types of movement required for each of the aforementioned operations and synchronizing the various movements is a matter of fundamental machine design principles Well within the province of a skilled mechanic. Consequently, details of the numerous known mechanisms which could be employed to effect the proper movements of the parts of this apparatus at the proper times to make the apparatus fully automatic have been omitted. Moreover, while it is preferred that the aforementioned apparatus be automatic in operation, it is not essential, since the basic concept of this invention does not so require.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, while I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Apparatus for filling and sealing holders for tokens, coins or the like which comprises two members mounted one above the other in spaced-apart relationship at a token holder filling station, said members defining an opening therebetween, means for supporting said token holder at said token holder filling station in front of said members with the apertures in said token holder being positioned opposite to the opening between said members, token advancing means for advancing a plurality of tokens, coins or the like to said token holder filling station on the side of said token holder remote from said members, and in alignment with the apertures in said token holder, said tokens being larger than the apertures in said token holder, said token advancing means being movable to an extent suflicient to insert said tokens into the apertures in said token holder and push said token holder and said tokens through the opening between said members, whereby said token holder engages said members and bends about an edge passing through the apertures in said token holder, and folds over said tokens, and sealing means for sealing together the folded sides of said token holder remote from said edge and beyond said tokens, whereby said tokens are positioned in a pocket in said token holder and are removable through the apertures in said token holder.

2. Apparatus for filling and sealing holders for tokens, coins or the like which comprises two members mounted one above the other in spaced-apart relationship at a token holder filling station, said members defining an opening therebetween, token holder advancing means for advancing a token holder having a plurality of aligned apertures therein to said token holder filling station, means for supporting said token holder at said token holder filling station in front of said members with the apertures in said token holder being positioned opposite to the opening between said members, token advancing means for advancing a plurality of tokens, coins or the like to said token holder filling station on the side of said token holder remote from said members, and in alignment with the apertures in said token holder, said tokens being larger than the, apertures in said token holder, said token advancing means being movable to an extent sufiicient to insert said tokens into the apertures in said token holder and push said token holder and said tokens through the opening between said members, whereby said token holder engages said members and bends about an edge passing through the apertures in said token holder and folds over said tokens, and sealing means for sealing together the folded sides of said token holder remote from said edge and beyond said tokens, whereby said tokens are positioned in a pocket in said token holder and are removable through the apertures in said token holder.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 whrein said sealing means comprises heat sealing means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a rotatable member, a plurality of sets of jaws carried in spaced apart relationship on said rotatable member, one jaw of each of said sets being movable relative to the other jaw, a cam fixed in position relative to said rotatable member, and a plurality of cam followers riding on said cam, each of said cam followers cooperating with a different one of said movable jaws for movement of said movable jaws relative to said fixed jaws, said sets of jaws being movable by said rotatable member from a receiving station to an unloading station and back to said receiving station, said sets of jaws being open at said receiving station and said unloading station and being closed during movement of said sets of jaws from said receiving station to said unloading station, any one of said sets of jaws when located at said receiving station being positioned behind said members and being adapted to receive said token holder with said tokens therein subsequent to passage through said members.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 including means for heating a token holder engaging surface of at least one jaw of each of said sets of jaws.

'6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means are positioned directly behind said members in position to receive token holders pushed through the opening between said members.

7. A method for filling and sealing holders for tokens, coins or the like which comprises supporting a token holder having a plurality of aligned apertures therein in front of two spaced-apart members having an opening therebetween with the apertures in said token holder positioned opposite to the opening between said members, advancing a plurality of tokens of larger size than the apertures in said token holder into and part way through Q 0 the apertures in said token holder and from the side of said token holder remote from said members, advancing both said token holder and said tokens through the opening between said members, thereby folding said token holder between said members, and subsequently securing together the folded sides of said token holder.

No references cited.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

L. S. BOUCHARD, Examiner. 

7. A METHOD FOR FILLING AND SEALING HOLDERS FOR TOKENS, COINS OR THE LIKE WHICH COMPRISES SUPPORTING A TOKEN HOLDER HAVING A PLURALITY OF ALIGNED APERTURES THEREIN IN FRONT OF TWO SPACED-APART MEMBERS HAVING AN OPENING THEREBETWEEN WITH THE APERTURES IN SAID TOKEN HOLDER POSITIONED OPPOSITE TO THE OPENING BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS, ADVANCING A PLURALITY OF TOKENS OF LARGER SIZE THAN THE APERTURES IN SAID TOKEN HOLDER INTO AND PART WAY THROUGH THE APERTURES IN SAID TOKEN HOLDER AND FROM THE SIDE OF SAID TOKEN HOLDER REMOTE FROM SAID MEMBERS, ADVANCING BOTH SAID TOKEN HOLDER AND SAID TOKENS THROUGH THE OPENING BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS, THEREBY FOLDING SAID TOKEN HOLDER BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS, AND SUBSEQUENTLY SECURING TOGETHER THE FOLDED SIDES OF SAID TOKEN HOLDER. 